ESPN BASSMASTER OPEN ON SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE VIRGINIA I'm wondering how best to describe this last tournament on Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia. Bass fishing as a professional can be tough! Very humbling too. It was definitely a disappointment to me as a professional angler as I finished in the 74th spot out of 152. I arrived at Smith Mountain Lake Thursday morning after my long drive from Florida and began to hunt for the fish to win the tournament. That first day I put together a quick pattern fishing plastic worms around docks with two huge fish. One five and one six pound largemouth. YES! I knew I could win with fish like that. They were so fat from feeding for the upcoming winter, they looked as if they'd pop. Monday I stumbled upon a solid 5 fish limit in about 20 minutes using a jig. Fishing a jig, or crawfish imitation, is one of my favorite ways to fish and has produced much success for me in the past. Plus is a fantastic way to catch huge bass. Well my confidence was high leading into the event. I even went back to more of those areas and fished my jigs without hooks on Tuesday and Wednesday's practice. Those days I shook off what in my opinion could have won the event. Consistent two to three pound fish plus I still had my fall back pattern with the worm on the docks. Yes, I was confident knowing it would take around 12 pounds (5 fish) a day to win the entire event. Easily I duplicated in practice 12 pound limits. I had no idea what kind of day I was in for on day one. The first day was cold. I mean frigid! Thankfully I was wearing my Cold Weather Gear from Under Armour beneath my Team Skeeter jersey. I was the 140th boat and eagerly waited my turn to safely blast off. Boats are randomly chosen for order and safe launch and then reversed the second day. So day two I was the 12th boat to launch. Finally I tore down the lake to my first destination. I caught two keepers on the jig within the first five minutes. I then knew I had to run to the next spot and tried to start my motor. The cranking battery had died. AGHH!!! Something I was not prepared for. I was able to finally jump the cranking battery after wasting almost an hour and get moving to the next spot. Dumbfounded, I failed to catch another keeper all day. I couldn't believe I still placed 55th after only catching two of my fish? Immediately after Day one I pulled up to the Yamaha trailer (basically a pit crew) and they helped me get everything fixed for day two. Without them I'd have been stranded and out of commission. I knew my fish were still in the same areas and made the decision to stick to my game plan. Day two came and I once again was unable to catch fish from those areas I had found in practice. I did however give a 100% effort using almost 40 gallons of fuel looking for other fish on day 2. I was only able to bring in one keeper (caught at 2pm) and placed 74th overall. My explanation for not being able to catch those fish was that the cold front that passed and the crystal clear water had turned a shade muddier. GEES! I don't know why, but that sure sounded good. What do you say? This is bass fishing. Sometimes you do well and other times you don't. I have to laugh and remind myself that this time last year I was in surgery everyday, all day, helping perform spine surgeries and now I do what I love for a living. I'm fortunate to have great sponsors. Thank you Team Skeeter, Team Yamaha, Under Armour performance apparel, MotorGuide trolling motors, Silver Buddy, Sonny's Marine in Orlando Florida, and Team Charlesworth. Now I pick my head up and can't wait to try again at the next event at Lake Eufaula, Alabama. Oct 25th. Please follow it at www.bassmaster.com My website www.jcprofishing.com should be completed with it's construction any day so I'll keep you updated. The site will have photos, guiding information, tips, information on my sponsors, tournament updates, and more. My frustration might explain any typos or other errors. May all your thumbs be sore, James Charlesworth